2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Puck-Lurker]

Different players on the PP? Wonder what makes her think that will happen.

Well for one, Guentzel isn't here. When not injured he was a staple on that PP1 unit. I still wish they would just go with two units and go with the hot hand, and maybe use the overloaded PP unit on rare occassions.

PP1 - Sid, Rust, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson
PP2 - Geno, Rakell, DOC, Letang, Pettersson
Overload - Sid, Geno, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson

Use the overload unit when PP1 and PP2 have been crap all game (or for multiple games in their case) and you actually need a PP goal to get back in a game.

But, the team will probably go with Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting and Karlsson/Letang as PP1, and Hayes/Eller, Rakell, Puustinen, Letang/Karlsson, Pettersson as PP2, and continue throwing out PP1 for 1:45 seconds of chasing the puck into their own zone, resetting, and chasing again.

I may even revise those a bit so that Puustinen and Karlsson aren't on the same unit. While you aren't just going to feed pucks to one guy all the time, Puustinen may have the best shot of the forward group, and Karlsson from the backend. When Puustinen is out there on the PP, they should be looking to get him the puck in the left circle to let him rip his shot, which he feasted on in the AHL. Karlsson has not only a very accurate shot that hits the net, but he is great at that slap shot/pass to someone in front for the redirect. Utilize those 2 strategies as the main focus, but, obviously work the puck around to other for openings, too.

They will have the same units they finished last season with would be my guess. Swapped out Guentz for Bunting. I am a big believer that their inept PP is on the players, not the coaching. Now that the coach took the fall, we can see if the approach changes. I bet it doesn’t….

The big question I have is...Did David Quinn run the PP as the HC in SJ? Their team was awful and they were 25th on the PP in Karlsson's 100 point season, but 25th was 18.4%. 19% and 22nd overall (3 spots below PIT) in 21-22. And SJ had A LOT less talent to work with. I'm hoping Quinn quickly realizes that Karlsson on the top PP, for his ability to carry the puck and his ability to get shots on net, is given at this point. Then we'll see how the personnel shakes out.

And 18.4% would be a marked improvement over 15.3%

[stonewizard51]

I know some will disagree with me but we haven't had a PP QB since Sarge. IMHO yeah Letang is/was QB but, for whatever reasons, he wasn't effective there. If EK can come anything close to that under Quinn then that will make me happy. I'm still not convinced the PP issue was full on coach related. If it's SOSDD this year then I'll know it wasn't totally on Reirden.

[KG]

Avs signed Kylington $1.05mill. Good signing.

[Ericf]

Yep. Not sure how we get there though. Coaching change is not enough. We need better PP players

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/a-potent-power-p ... -1.2158605

[KG]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024- ... ins-top-10

Some prospect discussion. Good to see some new names. He doesn't have Murashov in the top 10. He probably should.

[Puck-Lurker]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024- ... ins-top-10

Some prospect discussion. Good to see some new names. He doesn't have Murashov in the top 10. He probably should.

Koivunen, Brunicke, Ponomarev, Lucius.

Funny to see those four names pop in there. All acquired through the Guentzel trade.

[KG]

Still a no-brainer trade on paper. Hopefully EK has a better year this season and has adjusted. And hopefully our coaching staff knows how to coach him!

[blurryhaze312]

I know some will disagree with me but we haven't had a PP QB since Sarge. IMHO yeah Letang is/was QB but, for whatever reasons, he wasn't effective there. If EK can come anything close to that under Quinn then that will make me happy. I'm still not convinced the PP issue was full on coach related. If it's SOSDD this year then I'll know it wasn't totally on Reirden.

If you're talking strictly from a D, yes. But I'd counter with Kessel before his talent dip.

[FLPensFan]

The Athletic conducted their yearly "Front office confidence poll" The Penguins faired about as well as their draft prospect pool...which is awful.
Penguins ranked 29th out of 32 teams. Fans of the team that answered the poll gave C+, C, and C- grades across the board. The public (fans of other teams I believe) gave the team D+, D and D- grades across the board. The Penguins ranked 10th last year.

[IntangibleBeer]

Apparently, a piece in TSN graded the Penguins off-season efforts as the worst in the NHL. Anyone see that? I didn’t see the article. Thoughts?

[largegarlic]

Apparently, a piece in TSN graded the Penguins off-season efforts as the worst in the NHL. Anyone see that? I didn’t see the article. Thoughts?

I haven't seen the article either, but I think it depends on perspective. Outsiders are probably looking at it through the lens of whether or not the Pens added pieces that could lead to serious improvement and a chance of a decent playoff run. They pretty clearly didn't do that.

On the other hand, most of us who are hardcore fans of the team accept that the window is most likely closed, and it makes sense to stock up on picks, prospects, and cap space right now, even if Dubas still seems to want to give the core guys some chance to compete and isn't completely stripping things to the studs for a rebuild. From that perspective, I think Dubas has done ok.

[Crash66]

But hey, if we didn't have Kyle Dubas we'd be looking for Kyle Dubas.

[Puck-Lurker]

But hey, if we didn't have Kyle Dubas we'd be looking for Mike Sullivan.

Fixed it for you

[Antonio]

But hey, if we didn't have Kyle Dubas we'd be looking for a real coach.

Fixed it for both of you.

[KG]

Apparently, a piece in TSN graded the Penguins off-season efforts as the worst in the NHL. Anyone see that? I didn’t see the article. Thoughts?

I haven't seen the article either, but I think it depends on perspective. Outsiders are probably looking at it through the lens of whether or not the Pens added pieces that could lead to serious improvement and a chance of a decent playoff run. They pretty clearly didn't do that.

On the other hand, most of us who are hardcore fans of the team accept that the window is most likely closed, and it makes sense to stock up on picks, prospects, and cap space right now, even if Dubas still seems to want to give the core guys some chance to compete and isn't completely stripping things to the studs for a rebuild. From that perspective, I think Dubas has done ok.

I agree with this. It all depends on what lens you're looking through when you grade the Pens. If you are expecting them still to be a team that goes all in, then yes they would get a bad grade, but if they are viewed as a team that is in the beginning of a re-tool then they are what you expect them to be. Kind of uneventful.

[Pitts]

Apparently, a piece in TSN graded the Penguins off-season efforts as the worst in the NHL. Anyone see that? I didn’t see the article. Thoughts?

I haven't seen the article either, but I think it depends on perspective. Outsiders are probably looking at it through the lens of whether or not the Pens added pieces that could lead to serious improvement and a chance of a decent playoff run. They pretty clearly didn't do that.

On the other hand, most of us who are hardcore fans of the team accept that the window is most likely closed, and it makes sense to stock up on picks, prospects, and cap space right now, even if Dubas still seems to want to give the core guys some chance to compete and isn't completely stripping things to the studs for a rebuild. From that perspective, I think Dubas has done ok.

I agree with this. It all depends on what lens you're looking through when you grade the Pens. If you are expecting them still to be a team that goes all in, then yes they would get a bad grade, but if they are viewed as a team that is in the beginning of a re-tool then they are what you expect them to be. Kind of uneventful.

Really, so far, the only move I do not like from this off season is Hayes. To me, it still wasn't worth adding a 2nd round pick, eating cap space, and creates a jam with Eller here who I like much better. I read recently that the Pens are expected to move Eller before season starts. We'll see what happens there. At the least, the deadline this season should be fruitful with several pieces to move for picks/prospects including Hayes/Eller (if still here). That of course depends on the team not catching fire and making the playoffs - which really is not out of the question.

[IntangibleBeer]

Apparently, a piece in TSN graded the Penguins off-season efforts as the worst in the NHL. Anyone see that? I didn’t see the article. Thoughts?

I haven't seen the article either, but I think it depends on perspective. Outsiders are probably looking at it through the lens of whether or not the Pens added pieces that could lead to serious improvement and a chance of a decent playoff run. They pretty clearly didn't do that.

On the other hand, most of us who are hardcore fans of the team accept that the window is most likely closed, and it makes sense to stock up on picks, prospects, and cap space right now, even if Dubas still seems to want to give the core guys some chance to compete and isn't completely stripping things to the studs for a rebuild. From that perspective, I think Dubas has done ok.

That totally makes sense. And I am fully aware that the window is shut. I lived through dry times of the 80’s.

[Puck-Lurker]

Apparently, a piece in TSN graded the Penguins off-season efforts as the worst in the NHL. Anyone see that? I didn’t see the article. Thoughts?

I haven't seen the article either, but I think it depends on perspective. Outsiders are probably looking at it through the lens of whether or not the Pens added pieces that could lead to serious improvement and a chance of a decent playoff run. They pretty clearly didn't do that.

On the other hand, most of us who are hardcore fans of the team accept that the window is most likely closed, and it makes sense to stock up on picks, prospects, and cap space right now, even if Dubas still seems to want to give the core guys some chance to compete and isn't completely stripping things to the studs for a rebuild. From that perspective, I think Dubas has done ok.

Perspective is key, I agree.

I see too many people putting 'being a contender' and 'rebuilding' on the same axis. It'll go something like: contending for the cup, strong playoffs team, will make the playoffs, team that has improved a lot, team that stayed the same'ish. But those are parallel lines.

We are not a playoffs team, but I thought the off season was okay. Nothing to get too excited about but fine. If you are in charge of a team that did great last year and made the roster for this year about the same, is that an A- where Pens get a D+ for a same'ish roster?

I have doubts

[BigMcK]

I haven't seen Bryan Rust mentioned as of yet. Does he need to contribute more / same as last year to bump up the Penguins chances for the playoffs for the upcoming season?

[FLPensFan]

I haven't seen Bryan Rust mentioned as of yet. Does he need to contribute more / same as last year to bump up the Penguins chances for the playoffs for the upcoming season?

He set a career high in goals (28) and his 56 points was 2 points from tying his career high of 58 points. I don't think there is much more he can contribute. If anything, he may be one that drops off a bit, maybe 22 goals, 45 points this season.

[pfim]

I haven't seen Bryan Rust mentioned as of yet. Does he need to contribute more / same as last year to bump up the Penguins chances for the playoffs for the upcoming season?

Other than Crosby, he's the most consistent performer in all phases on the team. He's 32, he isn't getting any better.

The biggest impact he can make is staying in the lineup, which he hasn't been able to, bar 1 season.

[Puck-Lurker]

The actual money is “not an issue,” a team source said... (Crosby) is unsure exactly how long he wants to keep playing and “doesn’t want to put (the Penguins) in a bad spot” if he signs a longer deal and doesn’t play it out in full, a source close to Crosby said.

The latest in the Crosby rumours making the rounds.

[Skatingpen]

The actual money is “not an issue,” a team source said... (Crosby) is unsure exactly how long he wants to keep playing and “doesn’t want to put (the Penguins) in a bad spot” if he signs a longer deal and doesn’t play it out in full, a source close to Crosby said.

The latest in the Crosby rumours making the rounds.

So sign a short term deal…….

[Puck-Lurker]

The actual money is “not an issue,” a team source said... (Crosby) is unsure exactly how long he wants to keep playing and “doesn’t want to put (the Penguins) in a bad spot” if he signs a longer deal and doesn’t play it out in full, a source close to Crosby said.

The latest in the Crosby rumours making the rounds.

So sign a short term deal…….

I figure that is where 'the actual money' becomes more of an issue. Say Crosby signs 3 years at {just pay the guy}, thinking he'll retire after. After all, Geno and Tanger's contracts end then.

So... After 3 years, Geno leaves the NHL to play a bit with Magnitogorsk before his career is over. Letang signs a two year extension at.. I don't know, 4.5-5M? Crosby is still feeling it and wants to play on with his buddy and chase some records while helping the new guys. He wants to reup for 2 more years, is the money for that deal going to be what he could get right now, signing for 5? That is a consideration.

[Skatingpen]

Good points. I would think that if he still wants to play after those 3 years then he is still producing and impacting the NHL. I don’t think Sid would play if his play had declined a ton. Just my thoughts